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NFL analyst names Falcons defensive vet as potential trade-bait
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- NFL analyst names Falcons defensive vet as potential trade-bait
The Atlanta Falcons ' roster is strongest on the back end of their defense. That's where they have an elite starting combo at safety in Jessie Bates III and Xavier Watts . They also have a strong cornerback room - led by A.J. Terrell - which should only get stronger with the addition of their top draft pick, Avieon Terrell.
Atlanta's secondary is so deep that the front office may decide to deal one of their starters before the regular season begins. According to Moe Moton at Bleacher Report , the Falcons' top trade candidate is veteran cornerback Mike Hughes .
"If Terrell is impressive through training camp, he should be on the field alongside his brother in the secondary, which would make Mike Hughes expendable before the final roster cutdown date on August 30. Over the last two seasons with the Falcons, Hughes has started in 27 games. On the late-summer trade block, he could garner interest from cornerback-needy teams."
Hughes is a decent-enough starter, but if the Falcons would rather put Avieon Terrell on the boundary then Hughes is in the way of the development of their top defensive pickup of the offseason.
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There is some cause to trade Hughes, who is coming off a not-great, not-terrible 2025 season, having posted a 59.8 grade in coverage and a 58.6 overall from Pro Football Focus. Hughes' contract is also relatively tradeable , and doing so would save Atlanta $3.8 million in cap room for 2026 plus another $7 million in 2027 with minimal dead money.
Since he was drafted in the first round by the Minnesota Vikings back in 2018, Hughes has appeared in 99 career games, totaling four interceptions, 34 pass breakups and seven forced fumbles.
On the other hand, cornerback depth is not something that NFL teams should give up willingly. Unless the Falcons get an offer that's too good to refuse from a team that's been hammered by injuries at this spot, keeping Hughes around is probably better than dealing him.
There's also no guarantee that Avieon Terrell is in the running to take Hughes' spot. His lack of size makes him a better fit in the slot at this level. We'll have to see what Jeff Ulbrich's plans are with Terrell first before signing off on any potential Hughes trade.
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This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Mike Hughes identified as the Atlanta Falcons' top trade candidate
